Volvo 800 MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 62.8% of Volvo 800 MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 1,641 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 6–10 years
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
At 11 years and over
62.8%
All cars: 61.3% (1.5 points better). 1,641 tests.
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20+ | 1,641 | 62.8% | 61.4% | 143,750 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Volvo 800 MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 800 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 23.3% | 10.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.0% | 16.6% |
| Suspension | 16.5% | 13.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.4% | 4.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.4% | 4.0% |
| Visibility | 9.4% | 5.2% |
| Tyres | 7.4% | 8.4% |
| Steering | 5.1% | 2.5% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt failed 6.1% of tests
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 5.5% of tests · what this means
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements failed 4.4% of tests
- Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault failed 4.2% of tests
- Ball joint excessively worn failed 4.1% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 4.1% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 2.7% of tests · what this means
- Side repeaters: not working failed 2.3% of tests
- Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure failed 2.2% of tests
Checking a particular 800?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 800 version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: petrol 94.4%, diesel 5.4%, liquefied petrolum gas (lpg) 0.2%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Volvo models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.